Eric Van Lustbader is the author of numerous "New York Times" bestselling thrillers and fantasy novels, including "Last Snow, First Daughter, Blood Trust, The Ninja" and The Pearl series. Lustbader was chosen by Robert Ludlum's estate to continue the Jason Bourne series, and his Jason Bourne novels include "The Bourne Legacy" and "The Bourne Betrayal." Born and raised in Greenwich Village in New York City, Lustbader worked in the New York public school system and in the music business before turning to writing full-time. He lives in Manhattan and on the South Fork of Long Island with his wife, Victoria, who is also an accomplished author.
Fans of bestseller Lustbader will welcome the third hefty installment in his Pearl fantasy series (after 2002's The Veil of a Thousand Tears), with its wildly complex plot, breathless action and jaw-breaking nomenclature (Khagggun, Mesagggun, etc.), though newcomers might wish they had a roadmap. On the planet Kundala, the conquering V'ornn are having trouble subduing the natives, who have a champion in the woman Riane, aka "the Dar Sala-at, the fabled savior, destined to lead the Kundalan uprising against their alien V'ornn oppressors." Meanwhile, Annon, a dead V'ornn whose consciousness survives within Riane, shows that some V'ornn are worthy of the reader's sympathy. Riane's friend Eleana, who loved Annon, finds herself strangely attracted to Riane. The Kundalans' ultimate salvation, however, rests in securing the mystical Pearl. Tolkien's rings (reflected in the Pearl's "banestones") and the pseudo-Islamicism of Herbert's Dune are among the author's many obvious literary influences, while in a display of tongue-in-cheek humor three V'ornn admirals act a bit like the Three Stooges. Lustbader keeps scene-setting to a minimum ("Sapphire evening spread its wings over the great steppe") amid all the fighting and skullduggery. A surprise twist at the end serves as a springboard to a fourth volume. (Mar. 25) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
As Riane, the prophesied Dar-Sala-at destined to deliver the people of Kundala from their V'ornn conquerors, continues her search for the legendary Pearl believed to hold the key to deliverance for her people, other forces for change are at work within the world. A Resistance movement unites Kundalans with sympathetic V'ornns even as a group of V'ornn scientists conduct ruthless experiments to master a rare radioactive substance. The third volume in Lustbader's fantasy epic (after The Veil of a Thousand Tears and The Ring of Five Dragons) continues a heroic woman's journey to fulfill her destiny in a world in which science and magic war for dominance. Colorful characters and an intriguingly detailed world make this a standout addition to most fantasy collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
"Enjoy a breathtaking ride."--Bookreporter.com Praise for "The Veil
of a Thousand Tears"
"The sequel to "The Ring of Five Dragons" plunges deeper into the
history of the land of Kundala, unlocking new secrets in a
fascinating world of forbidden sorceries and alien technomagic. A
solid choice . . . "-"Library Journal"
"Another highly enjoyable, fast-paced, exciting fantasy from
Lustbader." -"Booklist "
"Lustbader creates a unique tale with the compelling style that has
distinguished his writing since his renowned Sunset Warrior fantasy
cycle in the 1970s. . . .Lustbader fans will be thrilled . .
."-"Publishers Weekly"
Praise for "The Veil of a Thousand Tears"
"The sequel to "The Ring of Five Dragons" plunges deeper into the
history of the land of Kundala, unlocking new secrets in a
fascinating world of forbidden sorceries and alien technomagic. A
solid choice . . . "-"Library Journal"
"Another highly enjoyable, fast-paced, exciting fantasy from
Lustbader." -"Booklist "
"Lustbader creates a unique tale with the compelling style that has
distinguished his writing since his renowned Sunset Warrior fantasy
cycle in the 1970s. . . .Lustbader fans will be thrilled . .
."-"Publishers Weekly"
Praise for "The Veil of a Thousand Tears
"The sequel to "The Ring of Five Dragons plunges deeper into the
history of the land of Kundala, unlocking new secrets in a
fascinating world of forbidden sorceries and alien technomagic. A
solid choice . . . "-"Library Journal
"Another highly enjoyable, fast-paced, exciting fantasy from
Lustbader." -"Booklist
"Lustbader creates a unique tale with the compelling style that has
distinguished his writing since his renowned Sunset Warrior fantasy
cycle in the 1970s. . . .Lustbader fans will be thrilled . .
."-"Publishers Weekly
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